The Best Beauty Advice From Our Mothers and Grandmothers

See why moms get-gorgeous tips really work

They gave us our looks—and their wisdom. Now, experts confirm that Mom really is always right.

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Brighten your complexion

"From my grandmother, I learned that even if I have no time to put on a full face of makeup, I should never leave the house without swiping on lipstick. She always wore a gorgeous deep red shade to brighten up her face."
CARMEN WONG ULRICH,42
What the expert says
"The right lipstick shade will wake up your face," agrees New York City makeup artist Adriana Andaluz (BeautyWithATwist.com). "The key is to focus on one feature you love, and have everything else complement it. If you're wearing a bold lip, keep the eyes simple, and don't let your blush compete with your lipstick." When you're in a rush, that swipe of red will make it look like you're wearing more makeup than you really are.

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Clear your pores

FROM OUR STAFF…
"My Aunt Yolanda told me to do a weekly facial steam to keep my pores clear. I pour boiling water into a bowl and place my face over it (but not too close!)."
DONNA DUARTE-LADD, STYLE EDITOR, 43

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Pamper Your Skin

"My grandmother taught me to pat-dry my face without applying too much pressure in order to prevent wrinkles."
JESSICA PERILLA, 32
What the expert says
Gently patting skin dry after cleansing is best, but not because it prevents wrinkles, says Massachusetts-based aesthetician Krystel Eliza. "When you rub a towel aggressively over your face, it tugs and pulls at your skin, which increases sensitivity and bruises capillaries, the tiny red and blue veins that pop up along your nose, cheeks or chin and cause redness." Plus, applying moisturizer to a slightly damp face locks in moisture.

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Soothe dry patches

"Grandmother suggested adding extra-virgin olive oil to cocoa butter. I apply it all over my body after showering or at the end of a day in the sun."
YOLANDA SANTIAGO, 57
What the expert says
The more moisture, the better, agrees Eliza. "The sun is the biggest aggressor in dehydrating your skin, and squeaky-clean soaps strip away the natural oils that protect it from bacteria and keep it hydrated," she explains. Putting oil on your skin helps maintain the protective barrier.

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Prevent split ends

"Mami used to trim the ends of my hair every month at the full moon."
SONIA IRIZARRY OQUENDO, 61
What the expert says
"It's always a good idea to trim the ends of the hair at least once a month," says Marcus, a stylist at Avalon Salon and Day Spa in New York City. Hair is prone to splitting, especially if exposed to the harsh effects of sun and wind. "Trimming away ends helps keep hair healthy and prevents split ends from traveling farther up the hair shaft," he explains. Marking your calendar for the full moon makes sure you keep up with the schedule!

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Soften hands and feet

"My mother told me to massage my hands and the soles of my feet with a mixture of mayonnaise and sugar to make them smoother."
SANDRA CASTILLO, 31
What the expert says
"Feet and hands are always more difficult to soften because you have an extra layer of skin there," explains Eliza. In this case, sugar is a natural humectant, which attracts moisture to the skin, and also acts as an exfoliant to remove dead skin cells. The mayonnaise acts as a natural hydrating oil. Note: It's best to use this mixture only on your body, not your face. The oil used in mayonnaise could block your pores and cause breakouts.

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Hair-thickening rinse

"To keep hair looking full, my mother would whip up a batch of clove water. Today I use this brew to thicken my hair and boost vibrancy."
MARIDEL SALOMON, McKinney, TX
HER RECIPE Bring 1 cup water to a boil, then add 2 Tbsp whole cloves. Boil for 5 minutes and turn off the heat. Let the clove water rest overnight and strain twice in the morning. Put the liquid in a container and pour over strands before conditioning. Try this once a week.
What the expert says
"It's worth a shot since cloves do contain eugenol, which helps protect your strands from environmental pollutants. This rinse will have a slight hue and might even temporarily enhance the color of brown and dark blond hair. But keep in mind, even if cloves make your hair look thicker, they won't stop the thinning process," says celebrity colorist Rita Hazan.

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Radiance-boosting facial mask

"My mother did a weekly treatment to keep her skin looking fresh, and now I use it too. I love how it gently exfoliates while hydrating at the same time."
STEPHANIE AHEARN, Ludlow, MAHER RECIPE Mix 1 Tbsp baking soda with 1 tsp honey. Add a few drops of water to create a paste. Apply the mask and leave on for 5 minutes, then rinse.
What the expert says
"It's a great idea to use baking soda to gently exfoliate and absorb excess oil," says Audrey Kunin, MD, a dermatologist in Kansas City, MO, and creator of DERMAdoctor skincare. "The addition of honey will help moisturize and protect your skin."

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Age-defying hand treatment

"My mom lived well into her 80s and always had young-looking hands. Our family secret is kelp."
ELIZABETH GEIGER, Lakeland, FL
HER RECIPE
Mix 1 tsp kelp powder (find it on amazon.com) with 1 Tbsp honey and 1 Tbsp plain yogurt and apply to the back of hands (works great on your décolletage, too!). Leave the mixture on for up to 10 minutes, then wipe away with a warm, damp cloth.
What the expert says
"This makes total sense because these ingredients work really well together to temporarily plump skin and reduce the veiny appearance of mature hands," says Dr. Kunin. "Plus, yogurt contains lactic acid, which exfoliates and brightens."

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Skin-softening body scrub

"My big sister's sugar scrub is the reason for our silky-smooth skin!"
KATIE RYAN, Dumont, NJ
HER RECIPE
Mix 2 Tbsp olive oil with 2 Tbsp sugar or salt. Add a few drops of almond or vanilla extract for a sweet smell. On damp skin, rub the scrub on in circular motions and concentrate on your roughest parts (like knees or elbows), then rinse.
What the expert says
"Katie, your sister is on to something! The sugar or salt will physically remove the dead skin cells that can dull skin and cause it to feel rough," says Dr. Kunin. "When using a natural scrub, gently rub, and don't use it too frequently or sensitive skin can become irritated."

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